A deliciously moist and authentic copycat KFC Chicken recipe. This Air Fryer fried chicken is golden brown and delicious. It’s soaked in buttermilk for delicious Southern flavor.
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy for more info.
KFC Copycat Air Fryer Fried Chicken
Who doesn’t love Kentucky Fried Chicken? For years, people have been trying to copycat KFC Fried Chicken. Well, this is about the closest you are going to get.
I’ve heard of some saying there is a copycat recipe out there that tastes nothing like KFC. However, this air fryer Fried Chicken tastes just like it because if it didn’t, my husband wouldn’t eat it. He’s fussy like that. lol
This Air Fryer fried chicken is a healthier and easier version of traditional fried chicken. Soaked in buttermilk, covered in seasoned flour, and air fried to perfection.
KFC Spice Blend Ingredients:
**For exact amount of each needed please see the recipe card below.
- chicken drumsticks or thighs
- Buttermilk
- Eggs
- Flour
- Salt
- Thyme
- Basil
- Oregano
- Celery salt
- Black pepper
- Dried mustard
- Paprika
- Garlic salt
- Ground ginger
- White pepper
- Oil of choice (peanut or vegetable oil) (for deep frying version)
How to Make KFC Fried Chicken in the Air Fryer
Soak the chicken legs in buttermilk for up to 24 hours before starting this recipe.
Place the eggs in one bowl and the flour and spices in a second bowl. Stir the spices well into the flour and beat the eggs.
Place an oven-safe cooling rack overtop of a baking sheet.
Remove chicken one piece at a time from buttermilk.
Dredge each chicken leg in the flour, then the eggs, and then the flour once again.
Put the coated drumstick on the cooling rack and repeat with remaining chicken.
Preheat air fryer to 390°.
Place Parchment round
in bottom of air fryer
so chicken doesn’t stick to bottom.
Lay chicken in a single layer in Ninja Foodi
or Air Fryer
so the pieces aren’t touching.
Air Fry for 13 minutes. Flip over. If there are any dry spots where the flour is showing, you can spritz
with olive oil. Fry for another 13 minutes.
Check that the internal temperature
is 165°. If not then cook for 5 minutes at a time until done.
Enjoy!
Deep Fried & Oven Fried Chicken Directions:
Preheat oven to 300F
Soak the chicken legs in buttermilk for up to 24 hours before starting this recipe.
Break the eggs in one bowl
and the flour and spices in a second bowl
. Stir the spices well into the flour and beat the eggs.
Place an oven-safe cooling rack
overtop of a baking sheet
– this will serve two purposes during your recipe.
Remove chicken one piece at a time from buttermilk.
Dredge each chicken leg in the flour, then the eggs, and then the flour once again.
Place the coated drumstick on the cooling rack
and repeat with remaining chicken.
Pour your oil in a large dutch oven
or stockpot
over medium-high heat. (You can alternatively use a deep fryer
.)
Fry the chicken legs in batches of 3 for 2-4 minutes until the coating is golden.
Remove the chicken to the cooling rack
and repeat with remaining chicken.
If You’re Baking in Oven
Folllow steps and instead of frying in oil, place in oven to bake.
Bake for 35-45 minutes until an inserted thermometer
reads 165F.
Air Fryer Fried Chicken KFC Copycat
A deliciously moist and authentic copycat KFC Chicken recipe. This Air Fryer fried chicken is golden brown and delicious. It’s soaked in buttermilk for delicious Southern flavor.
Ingredients
- 10 chicken drumsticks or thighs
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups flour
- 2/3 teaspoon salt
- Half teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon basil
- 1/3 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- Teaspoon black pepper
- One teaspoon dried mustard
- 4 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3 teaspoon white pepper
Instructions
- Soak the chicken legs in buttermilk for up to 24 hours before starting this recipe.
- Beat the eggs in one bowl and the flour and spices in a second bowl. Stir the spices well into the flour and beat the eggs.
- Place an oven-safe cooling rack overtop of a baking sheet.
- Remove chicken one piece at a time from buttermilk.
- Dredge each chicken leg in the flour, then the eggs, and then the flour once again. Place the coated drumstick on the cooling rack and repeat with remaining chicken.
- Preheat Air Fryer to 390°.
- Place Parchment round in bottom of air fryer so chicken doesn't stick to bottom.
- Lay chicken in a single layer in Ninja Foodie or Air Fryer so the pieces aren't touching.
- Air Fry for 13 minutes. Flip over. If there are any dry spots where the flour is showing, you can spritz with olive oil. Fry for another 13 minutes. Check that the internal temperature is 165°. If not then cook for 5 minutes at a time until done.
- Enjoy!
Deep Fried & Oven Fried Chicken Directions:
- 6+ cups oil of choice (peanut or vegetable oil) (for deep frying version)
- Preheat oven to 300F.
- Soak the chicken legs in buttermilk for up to 24 hours before starting this recipe.
- Break the eggs in one bowl and the flour and spices in a second bowl. Stir the spices well into the flour and beat the eggs.
- Place an oven-safe cooling rack overtop of a baking sheet - this will serve two purposes during your recipe.
- Remove chicken one piece at a time from buttermilk.
- Dredge each chicken leg in the flour, then the eggs, and then the flour once again. Place the coated drumstick on the cooling rack and repeat with remaining chicken.
- Pour your oil in a large dutch oven or stockpot over medium-high heat. (You can alternatively use a deep fryer.)
- Fry the chicken legs in batches of 3 for 2-4 minutes until the coating is golden.
- Remove the chicken to the cooling rack and repeat with remaining chicken.
If You're Baking in Oven
Folllow steps and instead of frying in oil, place in oven to bake.
Bake for 35-45 minutes until an inserted thermometer reads 165F.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Checkered Chef Baking Sheet and Rack Set - Aluminum Cookie Sheet Tray/Half Sheet Pan for Baking with Stainless Steel Oven Safe Cooling Rack -
Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker's Half Sheet (2 Pack), Silver -
Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. Classic Red Enamel Dutch Oven (Island Spice Red) -
Cuisinart 766-26 Chef's Classic 12-Quart Stockpot with Cover, Brushed Stainless -
Digital Instant Meat Thermometer -
Ninja OP301 Pressure Cooker, Steamer & Air Fryer -
Instant Pot IP-DUO60 321 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6-QT, Stainless Steel/Black -
U-Taste 10 Piece Measuring Cups and Spoons Set in 18/8 Stainless Steel -
Baking Parchment Circles, Set of 100, 7 Inch Non Stick Round Parchment Paper for Springform Cake Tin, Toaster Oven, Microwave and so on -
Premium Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls (Set of 6) Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set - Easy To Clean, Nesting Bowls for Space Saving Storage, Great for Cooking, Baking, Prepping -
Healthy Cooking Utensils Set - 6 Wooden Spoons For Cooking – Natural Nonstick Hard Wood Spatula and Spoons – Uncoated and Unglued – Durable Eco-friendly and Safe Kitchen Cooking Tools. -
New Star Foodservice 42917 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons and Cups Combo, Set of 8, Silver
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
3Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1063Total Fat: 39gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 24gCholesterol: 568mgSodium: 2518mgCarbohydrates: 73gFiber: 4gSugar: 5gProtein: 100g
Nutrition may vary depending on the products used.
Follow us on Pinterest and PIN IT FOR LATER!
Nicole
Sunday 25th of April 2021
Hi there how do you stop the batter mixture from sticking to the bottom of the air fryer when you turn the chicken over?
Mary
Sunday 25th of April 2021
Spritz it with oil and use parchment rounds.
Rick
Thursday 22nd of April 2021
This was my first attempt at air frying. I used breasts and it turned out fine: tasted good, but not really like KFC. After searching the web, I found that the original recipe called for tablespoons for all ingredients that you listed as teaspoons. I'll try it again.
Mary
Tuesday 20th of April 2021
Note to self: DO NOT preheat air fryer WITH parchment paper!! I nearly burnt the house down.
Mary
Friday 23rd of April 2021
Good point!
Christina
Monday 19th of April 2021
If just baking in oven (no deep fry first), is it 300F? Seems kinda low
Mary
Tuesday 20th of April 2021
Low and slow.
Judy
Monday 19th of April 2021
thank you